A complex of storms developed near Interstate 70 and quickly intensified as it progressed southeastward into the Flint Hills. A swath of large hail and damaging winds impacted along and just east of the Flint Hills with the first round of storms during the late morning and early afternoon hours.
Every event with a place to put it. Tap one for its entry below.
Deaths and injuries are direct and indirect together, as the offices filed them. Damage is property and crops in the dollars of the year, not adjusted for inflation, and only where an office estimated it.
The episode as NWS ICT wrote it up.
A complex of storms developed near Interstate 70 and quickly intensified as it progressed southeastward into the Flint Hills. A swath of large hail and damaging winds impacted along and just east of the Flint Hills with the first round of storms during the late morning and early afternoon hours. Then a second round of storms developed across Greenwood and Elk counties and quickly intensified. These storms also produced large hail and damaging winds across the same areas that were impacted by the first round of storms.
The local office's own words before the first event, as it sent them, from the Iowa Environmental Mesonet's archive of National Weather Service text.
NWS Wichita, KS wrote its last area forecast discussion before the first event at Jul 17, 5:03 AM CST, 4 hours 14 minutes earlier.
Area Forecast Discussion National Weather Service Wichita KS 603 AM CDT Mon Jul 17 2023 .SHORT TERM...(Today through Tuesday night) Issued at 312 AM CDT Mon Jul 17 2023 Currently have northwest upper flow from the Northern Rockies down through the Central Plains and into the Ozarks. Meanwhile, a broad upper low stretches from Central Ontario into the Northern Great Lakes region. At the surface, cold front extends generally along I-80 across Iowa and Nebraska with high pressure across the Northern Plains. Will be a difficult convective forecast today as there will be a couple different opportunities for development. First, a tight mid level baroclinic zone will remain across the forecast area with some decent isentropic lift and convergence along it. Plus, once you get above 800mb, capping looks minimal. So would not be out of the question to see some storm development in the next few hours. Additional storm will be possible this afternoon along a sagging cold front over northeast KS/north-central MO with this activity tracking southeast this afternoon. With a great shear profile, any storm that can develop will have the potential to produce hail. Some shortwave energy is expected to move out of the Central Rockies and into Nebraska tonight which is expected to spark an MCS that will track southeast across northeast KS/northern MO Tue morning into the early afternoon. The big story for our forecast area on Tue will be a return of extreme heat. Confidence is high that heat index values will be in the 105 to 110 range for areas generally south of I-70. Latest guidance does have the cold front moving into central KS which may keep the extreme heat out of a handful of counties. Confidence is high enough at this point to run with an advisory for Tue. .LONG TERM...(Wednesday through Sunday) Issued at 312 AM CDT Mon Jul 17 2023 There is good model agreement that shortwave energy will track out of southern Saskatchewan and into the Northern Plains by Wed morning. This will allow a cold front to sink down into the area and will bring storm chances to the area for Wed night. These storm chances will linger into Thu and Thu night as the front lingers across the forecast area and we also remain in northwest flow aloft. The better rain chances will push south and west for Fri through the weekend with the bigger story being much cooler temps. Highs Fri through the weekend area expected to be in the 80s, with Fri being the coolest of the 3 days. && .AVIATION...(For the 12Z TAFS through 12Z Tuesday morning) Issued at 559 AM CDT Mon Jul 17 2023 Patchy fog will dissipate near SLN near 12Z. Otherwise, decaying showers aren't expected to impact the terminals. Storm chances will continue across the entire area through the day but confidence in timing/location is too low for any mention at this point. Winds will remain predominately from the east for the central KS TAF sites and south to southeast for the remaining sites. && .PRELIMINARY POINT TEMPS/POPS... Wichita-KICT 95 74 103 74 / 20 10 0 0 Hutchinson 95 74 104 72 / 10 10 0 0 Newton 94 74 103 73 / 20 10 0 0 ElDorado 94 74 102 74 / 20 10 0 0 Winfield-KWLD 96 74 102 76 / 20 10 0 0 Russell 93 71 99 70 / 20 10 0 10 Great Bend 96 72 102 71 / 20 10 0 10 Salina 93 73 99 71 / 20 10 10 10 McPherson 95 73 102 71 / 20 10 0 10 Coffeyville 94 74 101 77 / 20 10 0 0 Chanute 93 72 101 75 / 20 20 10 0 Iola 92 71 101 74 / 20 20 10 0 Parsons-KPPF 94 73 101 77 / 30 10 10 0 && .ICT WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES... Heat Advisory from noon to 8 PM CDT Tuesday for KSZ047-050>053- 067>072-082-083-091>096-098>100. && SHORT TERM...RBL LONG TERM...RBL AVIATION...BMB
Hazardous Weather Outlook National Weather Service Wichita KS 453 AM CDT Mon Jul 17 2023 KSZ032-033-047>053-067>072-082-083-091>096-098>100-181000- Russell-Lincoln-Barton-Ellsworth-Saline-Rice-McPherson-Marion-Chase- Reno-Harvey-Butler-Greenwood-Woodson-Allen-Kingman-Sedgwick-Harper- Sumner-Cowley-Elk-Wilson-Neosho-Chautauqua-Montgomery-Labette- 453 AM CDT Mon Jul 17 2023 This hazardous weather outlook is for portions of Central Kansas, South Central Kansas and Southeast Kansas. .DAY ONE...Today and Tonight A few storms will be possible this morning for areas generally along and north of Highway 400. The stronger storms will be capable of nickel size hail. Additional storms will be possible this afternoon for locations generally along and especially east of Interstate 135. Hail up to quarter size and 60 mph winds will be possible with the stronger storms. Heat index values are expected to climb into the 100 to 103 degree range this afternoon. .DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Tuesday through Sunday Heat index values are expected climb into the 105 to 110 degree degree range on Tuesday afternoon and early evening. See the latest heat advisory for additional information. Storms will remain in the forecast for the Wednesday night through Friday morning time frame. A few strong to severe storms will be possible with this activity with hail and high winds the main threats. .SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT... Spotter activation is not anticipated today or tonight. && For a graphical version of this information, see our webpage at: https://weather.gov/crh/ghwo?sid=ict
Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Wichita KS
845 AM CDT Mon Jul 17 2023
KSZ049-171415-
Saline KS-
845 AM CDT Mon Jul 17 2023
...A strong thunderstorm will impact portions of Saline County
through 915 AM CDT...
At 844 AM CDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm over
New Cambria, or 7 miles northeast of Salina, moving southeast at 45
mph.
HAZARD...Winds in excess of 40 mph and pea size hail.
SOURCE...Radar indicated.
IMPACT...Gusty winds could knock down tree limbs and blow around
unsecured objects. Minor damage to outdoor objects is
possible.
Locations impacted include...
Salina, Assaria, Gypsum, Smolan, New Cambria, Falun, Bridgeport,
Salina Airport and Kipp.
This includes the following highways...
Interstate 135 between Mile Markers 78 and 95.
Interstate 70 between Mile Markers 246 and 266.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
If outdoors, consider seeking shelter inside a building.
&&
LAT...LON 3896 9737 3893 9737 3893 9738 3892 9738
3891 9737 3862 9737 3861 9783 3896 9771
TIME...MOT...LOC 1344Z 303DEG 39KT 3886 9749
MAX HAIL SIZE...0.25 IN
MAX WIND GUST...40 MPH
CUELLARSpecial Weather Statement
National Weather Service Wichita KS
907 AM CDT Mon Jul 17 2023
KSZ049-051-052-171430-
McPherson KS-Marion KS-Saline KS-
907 AM CDT Mon Jul 17 2023
...Strong thunderstorms will impact portions of northeastern
McPherson, northwestern Marion and southeastern Saline Counties
through 930 AM CDT...
At 906 AM CDT, Doppler radar was tracking strong thunderstorms along
a line extending from 7 miles northwest of Hope to 6 miles south of
Gypsum. Movement was southeast at 40 mph.
HAZARD...Wind gusts of 50 to 55 mph and nickel size hail.
SOURCE...Radar indicated.
IMPACT...Gusty winds could knock down tree limbs and blow around
unsecured objects. Minor damage to outdoor objects is
possible.
Locations impacted include...
Canton, Ramona, Lehigh, Durham, Tampa, Lost Springs, Roxbury and
Marion Lake.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
If outdoors, consider seeking shelter inside a building.
&&
LAT...LON 3861 9737 3861 9693 3855 9693 3828 9737
3861 9757 3873 9737
TIME...MOT...LOC 1406Z 313DEG 34KT 3877 9716 3861 9740
MAX HAIL SIZE...0.88 IN
MAX WIND GUST...55 MPH
CUELLARSpecial Weather Statement
National Weather Service Wichita KS
925 AM CDT Mon Jul 17 2023
KSZ052-171500-
Marion KS-
925 AM CDT Mon Jul 17 2023
...A strong thunderstorm will impact portions of Marion County
through 1000 AM CDT...
At 925 AM CDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm near
Durham, or 9 miles north of Hillsboro, moving southeast at 40 mph.
HAZARD...Wind gusts of 50 to 55 mph and nickel size hail.
SOURCE...Radar indicated.
IMPACT...Gusty winds could knock down tree limbs and blow around
unsecured objects. Minor damage to outdoor objects is
possible.
Locations impacted include...
Hillsboro, Marion, Florence, Lincolnville, Ramona, Lehigh, Durham,
Tampa, Lost Springs, Marion Lake and Pilsen.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
If outdoors, consider seeking shelter inside a building.
If on or near Marion Lake, get out of the water and move indoors or
inside a vehicle. Remember, lightning can strike out to 10 miles
from the parent thunderstorm. If you can hear thunder, you are close
enough to be struck by lightning. Move to safe shelter now! Do not
be caught on the water in a thunderstorm.
&&
LAT...LON 3852 9693 3852 9682 3835 9682 3835 9684
3826 9684 3818 9716 3833 9737 3842 9737
3861 9710 3861 9693
TIME...MOT...LOC 1425Z 313DEG 34KT 3849 9717
MAX HAIL SIZE...0.88 IN
MAX WIND GUST...55 MPH
CUELLARSpecial Weather Statement
National Weather Service Wichita KS
948 AM CDT Mon Jul 17 2023
KSZ052-053-068-069-171515-
Butler KS-Harvey KS-Marion KS-Chase KS-
948 AM CDT Mon Jul 17 2023
...Strong thunderstorms will impact portions of eastern Harvey,
Chase, northwestern Butler and southeastern Marion Counties through
1015 AM CDT...
At 948 AM CDT, Doppler radar was tracking strong thunderstorms along
a line extending from 5 miles northeast of Marion to 5 miles
northwest of Whitewater. Movement was southeast at 45 mph.
HAZARD...Wind gusts of 50 to 55 mph and nickel size hail.
SOURCE...Radar indicated.
IMPACT...Gusty winds could knock down tree limbs and blow around
unsecured objects. Minor damage to outdoor objects is
possible.
Locations impacted include...
Newton, El Dorado, Augusta, Marion, Towanda, Peabody, Cottonwood
Falls, Benton, Whitewater, Florence, Potwin, Walton, Elbing, Burns,
Bazaar, Elmdale, Matfield Green, Cedar Point, Newton Airport and
Wonsevu.
This includes the following highways...
Interstate 135 between Mile Markers 29 and 31.
Interstate 35 between Mile Markers 61 and 86.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
If outdoors, consider seeking shelter inside a building.
Torrential rainfall is also occurring with these storms and may lead
to localized flooding. Do not drive your vehicle through flooded
roadways.
These storms may intensify, so be certain to monitor local radio
stations and available television stations for additional information
and possible warnings from the National Weather Service.
&&
LAT...LON 3784 9715 3791 9715 3791 9723 3802 9734
3850 9693 3833 9643 3766 9697
TIME...MOT...LOC 1448Z 317DEG 41KT 3839 9692 3800 9723
MAX HAIL SIZE...0.88 IN
MAX WIND GUST...55 MPH
CUELLARThe Wichita radar (KICT), 71 km away, was scanning. The volume nearest the first event began at 15:15 UTC.
12 thunderstorm wind, 10 hail. Local standard time, as filed.
There was nickel to quarter sized hail at 40th and Highway 77 north of Burns.
There were highways signed ripped off their posts along with a 3-foot diameter tree downed.
There was dime to quarter sized hail reported on social media.
This was an estimated wind gust.
There were several trees uprooted near Piedmont along US 400.
This was a measured wind gust from a Kansas DOT site.
This was a measured wind gust from a Kansas Mesonet site northwest of Howard.
The wind gusts were estimated to be 55 to 60 mph with dust getting blown.
There was a picture on social media of at least a 1-foot diameter tree branch snapped.
There was structural damage to a previously compromised building. There was a portion of a wall collapsed.
This was reported via social media.
This was an estimated wind gust.
There was a 6-inch diameter tree branch down.
There was a picture of wind driven hail damage to the siding of a house. The windows were also blown out. Most of the town of Dexter appeared to have this damage.
There was a picture of at least 2-inch hail on the outskirts of Howard.
This was an estimated wind gusts. This was corroborated by other similar reports.
There were pictures on social media of golf ball sized hail near Howard.
There was nickel to quarter sized hail near Elk Falls.
There was nickel to quarter sized hail that fell for a brief time near Peru.
There was a picture of quarter sized hail.
This was an estimated wind gust. This was corroborated by surrounding reports.
After NWS Directive 10-1605, the rules offices file Storm Data by.
Every storm in Kansas in 2023Every state in 2023This day in weather historyWarnings in Kansas, July 2023
NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information, Storm Events Database, compiled from the National Weather Service’s monthly Storm Data. Complete through 2026-06; NCEI adds each month about 75 days after it ends and revises past years a few times a year. Rebuilt 2026-09-24. Each event’s entry at NCEI: 1123213, 1123245, 1123214, 1123236, 1123241, 1123253, 1123239, 1123255, 1123240, 1123243, 1123215, 1123216, 1123256, 1123244, 1123232, 1123234, 1123258, 1123246, 1123247, 1123249, 1123252, 1123260.